Neighborhoods and districts of San Antonio
The city of San Antonio in the U.S. state of Texas is composed of a number of neighborhoods and districts, spreading out surrounding the central Downtown Area.
Neighborhoods and districts that fall within this area are not easily categorized as part of the city's north, south, east, or west sides.
The central business district is generally understood to cover the northern half of the "Downtown Loop" -- the area bordered by Cesar Chavez to the south.
Due to the sheer size of the city and its horizontal development, downtown accounts for less than one half of one percent of San Antonio's geographic area.
Each neighborhood has distinctive housing characteristics, from Victorian in Beacon Hill to French Eclectic, Neoclassical and Italian Renaissance in Monte Vista.
Tobin Hill is located on the Eastside of San Antonio bordering downtown, this area is a mix of residential, commercial, and cultural space, including many of the city's gay bars.
Southtown is next to the King William Historic District, where the writer Sandra Cisneros has a home, and the Lavaca neighborhood, as well as the warehouse and loft conversions of Blue Star Contemporary Art Center along South Flores/Probandt/Cevallos streets.
Artists in the area with studios include Andy Benavides, Justin Parr, Ed Saavedra, Zane Lewis, Thomas Cummins, and Dario Robleto.
Historically, San Antonio's north side of town was and still is largely white, a character that it retains while diversifying along key corridors such as the medical center, UTSA, and Stone Oak.
Often known simply by its ZIP Code ("78209" or "the '09"), Alamo Heights is roughly bordered to the south by Hildebrand Avenue, to the north by Interstate 410, to the east by Fort Sam Houston, and to the west by US 281.
With nearly five million square feet (465,000 m²) of retail and nearly 20 million square feet (1.86 km²) of office space, retail in Uptown Loop consists of well known North Star Mall; San Pedro Towne Center, with Best Buy, Barnes & Noble, and DSW; Park North Plaza, at the site of what was once Central Park Mall.
The new Park North Plaza includes an Alamo Drafthouse movie theater, Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club, many restaurants, Target, Sears, an Aloft hotel and many more shops.
[4] Companies based in Uptown San Antonio include Harte-Hanks, Friedrich Air Conditioning, Southwest Business Corporation (SWBC), and Frontier Enterprises (owner of Jim's Restaurants).
Celebrities in residence include "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, Bruce Bowen, Joe Horn, Eva Longoria, Shawn Michaels, Tony Parker, Tim Duncan and Malik Rose.
[citation needed] The Northeast Side, a very suburban area, is home to Randolph Air Force Base, Schertz, Converse, Universal City, Selma, Kirby, Windcrest, and Live Oak.
The Northwest Side of San Antonio is home to a wide range of neighborhoods, suburbs, and businesses unique to the Alamo City.
[5] The corporate headquarters of Valero; Security Service Federal Credit Union; NuStar Energy and Kinetic Concepts are all located in the area, mainly along the I-10 corridor.
East of La Cantera is The Rim, a 2,000,000-square-foot (190,000 m2) suburban retail center anchored by Bass Pro Shops' Outdoor World, and The Palladium, a 19-screen movie theater featuring IMAX screens.
This area also includes the prestigious neighborhood of The Dominion, which is home to many current San Antonio Spurs players and coaches, and George Strait.Camp Bullis is also located here as well.
[6] Known for its Mexican and Tejano culture, the Inner West Side is showcased in places like the Guadalupe Street commercial and entertainment district and the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower.
The Inner West Side's historic Prospect Hill neighborhood, one of the first communities to be built in this area, is rich in history and is within the city's original 36 miles.
[8] The Near Northwest is home to the Deco District, Jefferson, Woodlawn Lake, Monticello Park, Inspiration Hills, Donaldson Terrace, and Hillcrest Neighborhoods.
Here you will find Sea World San Antonio, Northwest Vista College, QVC, Wells Fargo, Coventry Health Care, CitiCorp and several other large employers.
The Far Northwest/West subdivisions attract many military families who relocate from all over the US due to their proximity to Lackland AFB, exceptional housing market, and home values.
Interstate 35 & Southwest Military Drive, South Park Mall which is anchored by such stores such as Macy's, Sears, Bealls (Texas) and J. C. Penney.
One of the newest additions to the San Antonio Historic Districts is Knob Hill thanks to the efforts of the late Dora Tovar and is located in the Southeast part of the city and a mile and a half from Alamo Plaza.
Neighborhood Development Knob Hill Addition was situated between the Southern Pacific Depot and South Heights rail car lines and within a five-minute walk to two public schools on cement sidewalks and along macadamized streets.
The home at 1145 Virginia currently occupied by the University of Texas San Antonio (UTSA), Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity, Omicron Tau Alumni Chapter still has two of the giant palms flanking the front entrance.
The Historic Government Hill neighborhood is located directly south of Ft Sam Houston, Development began during the construction of the Army post in 1876.
Besides its location only minutes from Downtown San Antonio, the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) and an relocation of over 12,000 service members will create a significant growth.
